News and Events

When at the end of last year Samuel Müller traveled to Togo to visit the SALEM-project, he and project manager Gbati Nikabou came across a desolate school standing alone in an open area with no protection from the sun. The heat was unbearable, not a green spot nearby, but all the more dust. No schoolchild, no teacher liked to spend time in the schoolyard. Unfortunately, it looks like this in many places in Togo.

Then they drove on to another school where Gbati used to be principal and taught German.

"Now I want to show you how life flourishes where SALEM-Togo planted trees many years ago," says Gbati. When we arrive, everything is different. Children are laughing, birds are chirping, parents meet us in a good mood and the teachers gather under the trees for a meeting.

The flowers are blooming and the heat is no longer stifling. The atmosphere is one thing above all: peaceful! "How is that possible?" I ask Gbati. "Trees give life!" he says. And he is certainly right.

Trees stabilize the ground against erosion, store water, provide shade and therefore coolness. Last but not least, they also give fruit, which is a blessing for many children in a country like Togo.

We can and want to achieve a lot here. Even in this school, which is still so barren now, hope and life should soon come! If we don't plant with the people here soon, the last remnant of fertile soil will soon be completely gone. We have to start now.

We can and want to achieve a lot here. Even in this school, which is still so barren, there will soon be life! If we don't plant with the people here soon, the last remnant of fertile soil will soon be completely gone. We have to start now.

We can start soon after the dry season in May. What is still missing at the moment are the financial resources. But with a few thousand euros to get us started, we can begin soon!

Turning the whole school into a green oasis requires:

- Wells, pumps, water supply, water cistern

- Thousands of planting holes, good soil, many helping hands

- Healthy tree seedlings from the SALEM nursery (one tree costs approx. €25)

- Edging and protection of the planted trees for 3 years

- Salaries for the gardeners in the tree nursery

- Creation of a school forest with fruit trees

- Many discussions with the pupils, parents and teachers to get them on board

Never before has SALEM planned such a large planting project in Africa. "We can do it - with God's help," says Gbati Nikabou in his calm manner. And yes, I believe it can work. We would be very grateful if you would support us. You can donate online for SALEM-Togo here.